Lower extremity stretch device

ABSTRACT

An exercise and stretch device for the lower extremity including a base board with foot plate hinged to it. The foot plate being able to be set at different angles to the base board by means of different size side supports which are hinged to the base board. The foot plate has a stop to hold the heel of the foot. The ankle is fixated via a fixation device that can be set at different angles by means of the pulley being used at the back of the device. A patient can starch the lower extremity as a result of the structure being elongated and the ankle fixated.

Reference: U.S. 60/764,662 Provisional application Feb. 3, 2006

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

One aspect of the present invention relates to an exercise device that is used to stretch the lower extremity while fixating the ankle.

2. Background Art

When participating in sports there is a need to stretch prior to the activity to decrease the risk of injury. In the rehabilitation setting, stretching of the lower extremity is used to maintain range of motion in normal structures and to gain range when restricted.

There are a number of devices on the market that are designed to assist in the stretching of the lower extremity, more specifically the ankle joint made up of the junction between the talus and the mortise resulting from the tibia and fibular bones proximally, in addition to the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. For example, Rehab Wood Works LLC (appendix 1) offers the ‘Slant’ product witch is a stationary wedge upon which the person to be stretched places their foot or feet on the incline of the wedge and performs the appropriate stretch. Another product offered is the ‘Pro stretch’ (appendix 2) which has a rocker base and a foot holder, so stretching can be performed via the rocker action. The devices described do not have adjustable angles of stretch in two planes and do not provide fixation of the ankle to prevent the heel lifting during the stretch.

In light of the foregoing, what is needed is a lower extremity stretch device that can be adjusted to provide a number of angles of stretch both in the sagital and frontal planes with the ability to fixate the heel during the stretch.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The main object and purpose of the invention is to provide a means to effectively stretch the ankle joint and posterior structures of the lower leg. The stretching of these structures are required for sporting activities to decrease the chance of injury and in rehabilitation to restore normal range of motion.

Another object is to provide an effective means of holding the heel and foot down during the stretch. The normal calf stretch can be performed in two ways. The first being specific to the soleus muscle where the foot is flat and the knee is bent and moves forward over the foot to create a stretch at the back of the lower leg. The second is specific to the gastrocnemius where the knee is straight when the knee is moved forward over the foot. The invention allows these to occur by restricting the heel from lifting off the floor during the stretch, which is a common problem with stretching with out the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a variety of positions for the angle of the foot during the stretch. This allows the stretch to be graduated from (a) flat foot parallel to the floor. (b) 15 degrees of dorsi flexion and (c) 25 degrees of dorsi flexion (foot pointing up).

Another object of the invention is to provide a selection of angles of the fixation force about the ankle and in particular the talus bone. This will allow the user to choose the most effective for the desired purpose either stretching or rehabilitation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means of stretching the ankle joint and posterior structures of the lower leg in a multi plane manner. This is achieved by using side blocks, forcing the main platform to go on an angle. This will cause the foot and ankle to go in or out (Inversion/Eversion).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The proposed invention relates to a portable platform that provides a means of fixating the ankle so that effective stretching of the ankle and the posterior muscles of the lower leg can be achieved. The invention consists of the following components:

1. A base board on which the rest of the invention is placed. It is longer than the foot plate. The foot plate is large enough to hold the sole of a booted foot. The foot plate may be rectangular in shape, tapered or modified to represent a foot. The base board extends longer than the foot plate to house the pulley system. The base board has a hinged to each side, wedge shaped side supports which are used to adjust the height and angle of the foot plate. The base board can also be placed on an angle to thre floor in the frontal plane by means of attaching a side block under the edge of the base board longitudinally.

2. The foot plate is made of strong material, such as plastic, aluminum or wood to withstand the stresses applied. The heel end of the foot plate has a ‘stop’ on it to prevent the heel sliding off the foot plate during stretching.

3. The fixation strap, which is made of webbing, loops around the front of the ankle and holds the talus bone of the ankle down while stretching occurs. It is pulled through the pulley system to provide tension on the fixation strap. The fixation strap holds the foot down while the stretch is being performed as normally the heel tends to raise.

4. The heel end of the base board has the pulley system made up of a number of small rods under which the strapping can pass. The choice of rod will determine the angle of the fixation force is applied to the ankle.

5. The fixation strap has a buckle further up the strap and a handle on the end. The handle is pulled by the person being stretched to provide control of the fixation. The buckle is used for adjustment of the height of the handle to the most comfortable position.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be letter understood in view of the attached drawings and following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the stretch device with the foot on the foot plate and the fixation strap in place. The foot plate is in the highest of three positions

FIG. 2 is a side view of the stretch device showing the foot plate in a middle position without the foot and the fixation strap shown.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the stretch device showing the foot board in the lowest position. The fixation strap is shown and the foot in place.

FIG. 4 The fixation strap is shown on its own with the addition of a pad that can be placed in the front of the strap for comfort.

FIG. 5 A top view of the device with the side angle supports both out flat so the foot plate is in the lowest position. The loops about which the fixation strap threads through are shown. The heel block can be seen.

FIG. 6 A front end view of the device with the foot plate in the lowest position. The side angle supports are out flat.

FIG. 7 A front end view of the device with the foot plate in the middle position. The highest side angle support out on each side, while the foot plate is resting on the smaller of the side supports.

FIG. 8 A front end view of the device with the foot plate in the highest position.

FIG. 9 A back end view showing the loops for the fixation strap. The side angle supports are out flat and the heel stop can be seen.

FIG. 10 A back end view with the side block in place on the left side to create an angle between the floor and the foot plate.

FIG. 11 A back end view with the side block in place on the right side to create an angle between the floor and the foot plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of an invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, specific functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as are representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

The invention provides a means of securing the foot while the ankle and the lower leg are being stretched. Normally the stretch is performed with the heel flat on the ground and not fixated. The lower leg is then moved forward with the knee moving forward over the ankle to increase the angle at the ankle. This will stretch the ankle joint into dorsi-flexion or stretch the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. To be more specific, when stretching the gastrocnemius muscle, the foot is taken back, placed flat on the floor and with the knee straight, the patient's pelvis is moved forward, this creates an increase in the dorsi flexion angle of the ankle. When the knee is straight, the stretch force on the gastrocnemius muscle is more than the soleus and the tendo-achilles. This is as a result of the origin of the gastrocnemius muscle being above the knee. The position of the knee will lengthen the muscle more than if the knee is bent. A similar stretch is performed with the knee bent, placing more stretch on the tendo-achilles and the soleus muscle. The ankle can be stretched during both. Although the stretches are specific to the muscle and ankle joint, there is a tendency for the heel to lift, as the lever arm of the foot is short. To overcome this problem, the invention provides a means of fixating the ankle while the stretch is being applied, making the stretch more effective. The angle of the foot plate is adjustable locking down the heel while the patient is leaning forward. The device is safe as the operator has control via the handle of the fixation being provided by the strapping. A further modification is the addition of side blocks along the outer side of the base board to change the angle of the device in relation to the floor. This will make the stretch occur in the sagital and frontal planes. This increases the ability to stretch the ankle into normal positions that are often restricted after injury.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the invention in the most angled position. The base board (1) has attached to it the hinges (3) which hold the side angle supports (2) (4). The foot plate (5) rests on side angle support (4). At the heel end of the base board (1) there are three loops (9) through which fixation strap (11) will pass. The side angle support (4) is smaller than (2) and will hold the foot plate (5) at a more acute angle than (2). The strap (11) is placed about the front of the ankle at the talus level. The heel of the foot is secured in position by heel block (8). The strap (11) passes under one of the three loops (9) and up to the adjustable buckle (10) from there it loops about the handle (12).

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the foot plate (5) in the middle position. The base board (1) has the side angle support (4) in the upright position providing the height while the larger side angle support (2) is laying on the flat. The hinge (3) attaches (2) and (4) to the base board (1) The hinge (7) allows the foot plate (5) to swing from horizontal to the high position. The loops (9) are shown at the heel end of the base board (1).

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the foot plate (5) in the horizontal position. The base board (1) has the side angle supports (2) and (4) laying on the flat. The loops (9) are shown at the heel end of the base board (1). The fixation strap (11) can be placed through any of the three loops (9) to adjust the angle of the fixation strap (1 1).

FIG. 4 is a separate diagram of the strap fixation system. The fixation strap loops around the ankle, with the option to place in the front of the ankle, a felt pad for comfort (13). The loop strap joins the buckle (10) so the length of the strap (11) can be adjusted. The buckle (10) connects the handle (12) to the rest of the strap.

FIG. 5 is the top view of the invention showing, the base board (1) and the side angle supports (2) and (4) laying flat. The foot plate (5) has the heel block (8) attached in the center. The loops (9) are shown.

FIG. 6 is a front end view of the invention showing the base board (1) flat on the floor with the foot plate (5) lying in the lowest position. The heel cup (8) can be seen. The side angle supports (2) and (4) are lying out to the side.

FIG. 7 is a end view of the invention showing the base board (1). The foot plate (5) is resting on side angle supports (4), this is the middle position. The side angle support (2) which is the highest is lying out to the side. The heel cup (8) can be seen over the top of the foot plate (5)

FIG. 8 is a end view of the invention showing the base board (1). The foot plate (5) is resting on side angle supports (2), this is the highest position. The side angle support (4) is under side support (2).

FIG. 9 is a view of the heel end of the invention showing the base board (1) flat on the floor with the foot plate (5) in the lowest position. The heel cup (8) is seen and the side angle supports (2) are out to the side and attached to foot plate (1) by hinges (3). The hinge (7) joins foot plate (5) to the base board (1). The loops (9) through which the fixation strap goes are seen in line.

FIG. 10 shows stretch board in the same position as in FIG. 9 with the addition of the side block (13) which causes the base plate (1) to be at an angle with the floor and in turn causing the foot plate (5) to be at an angle to the floor. The side block (13) in the left sided position will result in a inversion or turning in of the foot if it is the right and a turning out or eversion if it is the left foot placed on the invention.

FIG. 11 shows stretch board in the same position as in FIG. 9 with the addition of the side block (13) which causes the base plate (1) to be at an angle with the floor and in turn causing the foot plate (5) to be at an angle to the floor. The side block (13) in the right sided position will result in a inversion or turning in of the foot if it is the left and a turning out or eversion if it is the right foot placed on the invention.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A device for stretching the ankle joint and posterior muscles of the lower leg by fixating the ankle at different angles while the leg is moved forward comprising of: A base board, which is longer and wider than a foot so it can leverage stability during stretching and provide an area for mounting other components. A set of side angle supports that are hinged to the base board and allow a foot plate to be supported at different angles to the base
 2. The stretching device according to claim 1 where the foot plate angle can be adjusted in relation to the base board it is attached to via a hinge. The foot plate angle to the base board is controlled by the selection of the side angle supports which swing in and out to provide three heights or foot plate angle selections, large, small and none. These correspond to zero degrees of dorsi flexion of the ankle to 15 degrees and 25 degrees. Although there are three positions in the example shown, different size side supports and number can be used. The device may be made of wood, plastic or any such material that is strong enough to withstand the stresses applied to it.
 3. The stretching device according to claim 2 in which the foot plate has a semicircular or ‘V’ shaped heel block that prevents the heel sliding in a posterior direction during the stretch..
 4. The stretching device according to claim 1 has a means of fixation of the talus or foot so the heel of the patient's foot does not move or lift off the foot plate while stretching. The fixation may be in the form of a looped strap around the front of the foot and ankle or a more general pad across the top of the foot. The strap is angled down to the baseboard and under a fixed device that will allow the fixation strap to slide around during tension adjustment. The strap is long enough to loop around the ankle and be reached by the hands of the user when standing
 5. The stretching device according to claim 4 has a means of adjusting the angle of pull or fixation on the ankle via the fixation strapping by having a selection of fixed pulleys or similar devices mounted on the base board. The pulleys may be loop bolts as shown or any shape of hard fixture that allows the strap to adjust in tension. The pulley fixation is normally in midline but may be out to the side, to change the angle of fixation further.
 6. The stretching device according to claim 4 has a means of adjusting the length of the fixation strap in the form of a buckle so the user can pull on the fixation strap in an effective manner.
 7. The stretching device according to claim 4 has a handle as a means of providing comfort and effective gripping of the fixation strap.
 8. The stretching device according to claim 1 has hinge system connecting the base board to the foot plate whish allow the angle of the foot plate to change and keep the foot plate stable.
 9. The stretching device according to claim 1 has a hinge system connecting the side angle supports to the base board, allowing the angle of the foot plate to be changed in relation to the base board with ease and maintaining stability of the invention.
 10. The stretching device according to claim 1 has a side block that can be placed under either side of the base board to change the angle of the base board in relation to the floor. This allows stretching to occur in the frontal plane in addition to the sagital plane. 